CVE-2013-4622 in Droid Incredible
Summary
by MITRE
The 3G Mobile Hotspot feature on the HTC Droid Incredible has a default WPA2 PSK passphrase of 1234567890, which makes it easier for remote attackers to obtain access by leveraging a position within the WLAN coverage area.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/20/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-4622 represents a critical security flaw in the HTC Droid Incredible's 3G Mobile Hotspot functionality that directly violates fundamental wireless security principles. This issue stems from the device's implementation of WPA2 Personal mode with a hardcoded default passphrase that is exceptionally weak and easily guessable. The default WPA2 PSK passphrase of 1234567890 demonstrates a severe lack of cryptographic security practices that would be unacceptable in any modern security framework. The vulnerability allows remote attackers who are within the wireless local area network coverage area to gain unauthorized access to the mobile hotspot, effectively creating an open invitation for malicious actors to exploit this weakness. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of weak authentication mechanisms and demonstrates poor security configuration management that directly impacts the confidentiality and integrity of network communications.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through standard wireless network scanning and authentication processes that are designed to be accessible to anyone within range of the hotspot signal. Attackers can leverage readily available tools such as aircrack-ng, kismet, or similar wireless auditing frameworks to discover the hotspot and then perform dictionary attacks or brute force attempts against the weak default passphrase. The implementation of such a predictable passphrase represents a failure in secure configuration practices and violates the principle of least privilege that should govern all network access controls. This vulnerability specifically aligns with CWE-521 Weak Password Requirements and CWE-312 Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information, as the default passphrase is stored in cleartext within the device firmware and provides minimal cryptographic strength. The attack surface is further expanded because the vulnerability does not require any special privileges or sophisticated techniques to exploit, making it particularly dangerous in environments where mobile devices are used for business or sensitive communications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized network access to encompass broader security implications for users who rely on the mobile hotspot for confidential communications. Organizations and individuals using the HTC Droid Incredible in business environments face significant risks including data interception, man-in-the-middle attacks, and potential access to corporate networks that may be connected through the mobile hotspot. The vulnerability creates a persistent security risk that remains active until the user changes the default passphrase, which many users never do due to the complexity of the process or lack of awareness about the security implications. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning in mobile environments where users may not have the technical knowledge or time to properly configure security settings, and it represents a failure in the security-by-design principles that should be inherent in all consumer electronics. The attack pattern aligns with ATT&CK technique T1046 Network Service Scanning and T1075 Pass the Hash, as attackers can discover network services and then leverage weak authentication credentials to gain persistent access to the network infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term security awareness initiatives. Users should immediately change the default WPA2 passphrase to a strong, randomly generated password that meets industry standards for cryptographic strength, typically requiring at least 12 characters with a mix of uppercase, lowercase, numeric, and special characters. Network administrators should implement policies requiring regular security assessments of mobile devices and establish procedures for monitoring and managing default credentials across all enterprise devices. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure default configurations and the necessity for manufacturers to implement strong cryptographic practices in their products from the initial design phase. Organizations should consider deploying network monitoring tools that can detect and alert on the presence of devices with default or weak credentials, as well as implementing network segmentation strategies that limit the impact of compromised mobile devices. This vulnerability serves as a critical reminder of the importance of adhering to security standards such as those defined in NIST SP 800-116 and ISO/IEC 27001, which emphasize the need for proper authentication mechanisms and secure configuration management in all networked devices.